Learn math by playing Lego ? is that really possible ?
Of course! To see for yourself try these fraction and Lego task cards!
Math was not really my favorite topic at school. So when the time came to teach it to my kids I knew I had to find a fun and efficient approach instead of all having to dread the hour of math.
Well I think I can say that I succeeded, because just after science, math is the favorite school subject of my boys. You ask the question, how did we do it?
Let me just tell you 2 little secrets for success with math:
Secret 1:
Always introduce a new math concept with manipulatives, ( it can be toys, counting bears, Lego, Cuisenaire rods , and even snacks) with those, they visualize , and experiment by themselves. We think of using manipulatives for little kids but we tend to forget that they are also very efficient for older kids and for more complex concepts like divisions, fractions.
Secret n°2 :
Practice and practice again with a variety of games . resolve word problems with hands on activities.
As for fractions they already assimilated the concept since a few years with a variety of activities, Montessori type. But this year they have to master adding, subtracting , simplifying, multiplying the fractions…
As much as I hated fraction as a student myself , now I have so much fun with my boys!
Our favorite game is the task cards I created to resolve word problems with Lego. Not only they learn fractions, but they become engineers, architects, builders at the same time as mathematicians…
To prepare the game you simply print , cut and laminate ( if you want) the cards and answer keys. Then gather around 40 bricks of Lego or Duplo and you’re set.
Kids pick up cards , resolve the challenge , and check their answers.
For this game kids will need to already understand what fractions are, know how to add and subtract, and have basic notion of area and perimeter.
That’s it! Time for fun!
You can get them on my TPT shop here: Fraction and Lego task cards
Or for free if you subscribe to my blog ! By clicking on the picture at the end of the article.
Get your Task Cards for free by clicking on the picture:
STEM Fraction task cards with Lego or Duplo
Kids will visualize and understand fraction as they play with Lego !
This activity is composed of 16 task cards and some answer keys.
Just print and cut the cards and answer keys, bring some Lego or Duplo bricks and the hands-on activity is ready.
The fraction word problems of each task card needs be resolved while building them in Lego. Kids follow instructions to build tours, castles, buildings and visualize how to represent, add and compare the fractions .